This print, with its prototype dating back to the late Qing dynasty, was meant for propaganda purposes. During that period, China was crippled by foreign invasion and domestic problems. Some elites, in a bid to solve the nation’s crisis, published propaganda posters to promote modern ideologies perceived as beneficial to society. The poster depicts ladies playing Chinese football (蹴鞠) just like the boys do. In this instance, gender equality was promoted as men and women were encouraged to keep fit. The ladies depicted belong to different ethnicities, the Manchus and the Hans. Chinese football was banned by the Manchu rulers because it was invented by the Hans. Hence, the poster most probably conveys the importance of ethnic harmony. This print was produced in Taohuawu, a village famous for its new year prints, characterised by vibrant colour schemes. The production house, Wang Rong Xing (王荣兴), was established around the 18th century.
